Improvement in construction of houses



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

o. 'c. GAMPBELL.

Construction of Houses.

Patented Maroh11,1873.

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0. C. CAMPBELL.

Construction of Houses.

Patented March 11, 1873.

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OLIVER O. CAMPBELL, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,583; dated March 11, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, OLIVER GARLISLE CAMP- BELL, of Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Construction of Houses; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description ently formed. Fig. 3 is an edge view of one of the tiles, showing the lap and recesses for receiving the heads of the securing-blocks. Fig. 4 is asection through two of the tiles, illustrating the method of securing them to the boarding. Fig. 5 represents one of the dovetail securing-blocks, with the screw by which it is attached.

This invention relates to an improvement in the construction of houses, by which, in locations where stone is difficult to obtain, or, as is often the case, the builder prefers the frame on account of its dryness, and other considerations of a sanitary nature, the beautiful appearance of a building constructed of nicelycut stone is obtained, as well as a durable coveringat a comparatively small expense; and it consists in the peculiar method of constructin g, arranging, and securing the covering-tiles, as will be hereafter fully described.

Arepresents a tile, constructed of Portland cement or of the same material as the various artificial stones in use, or it may be formed of clay and burned in the same manner as brick. A flange, 0, extends around one side and one end of each tile, of sufficient width to cover the joint between them, and also to protect the securing-blocks from the action of the elements. Two dovetailed recesses, a, are also formed in the upper and lower edges of each tile, which receive the block B. This block is generally of cast-iron, conical in shape, and perforated to receive the screw 1), by which it is attached to thecovering-boards D of the building.

The frame of the building may be constructed by any of the methods in common use; it is then covered with sheathing,'which may consist of ordinary inch boards well secured to the substructure by nails or other means. The application of the tiles is then commenced by securing to the sheathing, at its lower edge and at proper intervals, a series of the hrnding bleeksB by passing the screws 1) through the hole in their center, the space between them being exactly the same as between the recesses a in the tiles. A course of tiles is then put on their flanges or lap-pieces, covering the securing-blocks. It will be seen that the lower edges of the tiles, owing to their weight and the wedge form of the blocks, will have a tendency to hug the sheathing closely. A second series of securing-blocks is then inserted in the recesses in the upper edge of the tier of tiles already,

in place, and firmly secured by screws, as before. In this position it will be seen they project one-half their size above the upper edge of the tiles, and are ready for the reception of a second course, which is placed upon the lower in such position that the joints between the blocks are in the center of those below, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 1 of the drawing, where the securing-blocks are represented in dotted lines, and the position of the covering-flanges with their relation to the vertical and horizontal joints clearly seen. The same process is continued until the outer walls of the building are covered, thus producing a substantial and beautiful covering which, arrangedin good taste, forms one of the most elegant styles of building for suburban residences known.

I am aware that frame houses have been covered with a coating of artificial SfIl-lc or cement put on in the same manner as the plastering upon their interior, and held in place by lath or similar devices; also that tiles as well as artificial blocks of stone have been secured upon the outer surface of buildings,

all of which I disclaim; but

I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The block or tile A for facing the walls of buildings, formed with the beveled covering-flange c and the dovetailed recess a for the purpose of attachment, all substantially as 

